Baybay City to open drug rehab center

BAYBAY CITY, Sept. 12 (PNA) –- The city government here will convert its public library building into a drug rehabilitation center in support to the national government’s campaign to curb drug menace.

“The newly constructed building is not yet utilized as library. It will serve as day rehab center in the next six months starting October 1,” said Baybay City Mayor Carmen L. Cari.

Cari said treatment for self-confessed drug users includes giving assignments, lessons, seminars, counselling and appropriate foods to detoxify drug dependents for half a year.

Personnel from the city health office and the city social welfare and development office were trained by the Department of Health-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Dulag, Leyte for two weeks to replicate the program.

The city police here has already recorded about 2,000 surrenderers through “Operating Tokhang.” Only 10 percent will be accommodated in the local rehabilitation program.

“It entails a large expense if we will accommodate them all,” Cari added. The city government will prioritize poor drug dependents.

Cari is optimistic that drug rehabilitation will succeed with the city health office and local social workers taking the lead. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR